Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

An agent that is capable of acting against infection, either by inhibiting the spread of an infectious agent or by killing the infectious agent outright.

An herbicide and defoliant containing 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T and trace amounts of dioxin. Agent Orange was used as a defoliant in the Vietnam War. Agent Orange is a carcinogen and teratogen (cause cancer and birth defects). The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies in the US has found “sufficient evidence” of an association between exposure to Agent…

Failure of formation of all or part of the sacrum (the lowest section of the spine). Currarino syndrome is a condition characterized by the combination of: Partial absence of the sacrum (the lowest portion of spine), Anorectal (anal and rectal) abnormalities, and An abnormal mass in front of the sacrum (due to a meningocoele or teratoma). The…

A condition in which the gallbladder fails to develop. It occurs in 1 in about every 1,000 people, usually without additional birth defects.

A congenital abnormality (a birth defect) in which there is partial or complete absence (agenesis) of the corpus callosum, the area of the brain which connects the two cerebral hemispheres (the two halves of the brain). Agenesis of the corpus callosum can occur as a severe syndrome in infancy or childhood, as a milder condition…

Lack of development. For example, agenesis of a toe means the toe failed to form.

An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Public Health Service that works with states and other federal agencies to prevent exposure to hazardous substances from waste sites. The agency conducts public health assessments, health studies, surveillance activities, and health education training in communities around waste sites on the U.S.…

An eye disease with its onset usually after age 60 that can progressively destroy the macula, the central portion of the retina, impairing central vision. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD) rarely causes blindness because only the center of vision is affected. However, injury to the macula in the center of the retina can impair the ability to see straight…

Age-related hearing loss with gradually progressive inability to hear, especially high frequency sounds. Presbycusis most often occurs in both ears, although not necessarily at the same time or rate. Because the loss of hearing is so gradual, people with presbycusis may not realize that their hearing is diminishing. They may have trouble distinguishing and understanding conversation in a noisy…

 The age of the father at the time he conceives a child. Advanced paternal age is associated with an increased risk of certain genetic mutations, a risk that rises linearly with the age of the father.